Ed Sheeran Responds to Ali G Mockery With a Nod to Classic Misspelling
Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy Ali G: Who Iz I? has released its first trailer, and it takes a jab at Ed Sheeran — who responded on Instagram with good humor rather than offense. The film hits theaters on October 23, marking the character's return to the big screen 24 years after 2002's Ali G: In Da House, and it's Cohen's directorial debut. According to NME, the film was shot under strict secrecy.
The joke, and Sheeran's reply
The trailer opens with Cohen narrating in character as Ali G, saying he's been gone for 20 years and that the world has gone to hell in the meantime — citing "COVID, wars, and Ed Sheeran" in the same breath. The line cuts straight to footage of the Shape of You singer on a red carpet.
Sheeran didn't take it as an insult. He commented on Instagram: "Tell 10-year-old me that Ali G would put him in his movie. Restecpa." That last word is a callback to a running gag in Ali G: In Da House, where the character famously misspells "respect."
Ali G's history with music
Ali G first appeared in the late 1990s as a segment on the UK show The 11 O'Clock Show, with Cohen using the character — built around an appropriated street persona — to interview real public figures who mostly had no idea they were being pranked. The character later appeared in Madonna's 2000 music video for "Music" and spun off into several TV series of his own.
The promotional run for Ali G: In Da House included the single "Me Julie," with Cohen performing in character alongside Shaggy. Since then Cohen has made Borat and Bruno, and more recently moved into drama with The Trial of the Chicago 7 and a role in Marvel's Ironheart. Before the new film was officially announced, Cohen appeared in Ali G's look at this year's Wimbledon tennis championships.
Release details
- Title: Ali G: Who Iz I?
- Director: Sacha Baron Cohen (feature directorial debut)
- Release date: October 23 (theatrical)